Storms heading toward Edmonton

4:30 p.m.: A severe thunderstorm WARNING is in effect for areas just west and southwest of Edmonton while the city remains under a WATCH.

A severe storm just southwest of Devon and Calmar is tracking NE at approximately 50 km/h with a small core of loonie to toonie sized hail.

Most of the Edmonton area will see thunderstorms over the course of the next few hours, with strong wind gusts, localized downpours and a few spots will see hail, although most of the area will get missed by the large hail.

Severe storms SE and east of Red Deer are also producing downpours and strong (potentially damaging wind gusts). A WARNING is also in effect for that region.

Tune in to CTV News Edmonton at 5 and 6 p.m. for the latest.

3:48 p.m.: Edmonton and area is under a severe thunderstorm watch as of 3:20 p.m., while areas between Drayton Valley and Rimbey are under a severe thunderstorm warning.

The main threat from the severe storms is the possibility for toonie-sized hail and potentially damaging wind gusts, as well as heavy rain and frequent lightning.

The storms are moving northeast at approximately 50 km/h.

They should move into the Edmonton area between 5 and 6 p.m., although it remains to be seen whether they will weaken or remain severe as they move through the Edmonton region.

We’ll continue to update this story throughout the afternoon.

Tune in to CTV News Edmonton at 5 and 6 p.m. for the latest.